Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Anacortes Salmon derby sells out in 10 days
When you can peddle 100 derby tickets a day, at 50 bucks a pop, you must have a fairly desirable product to offer. And so it was that the Anacortes Salmon Derby, scheduled for March 27-28, sold out its self-imposed quota of 1,000 slots in 10 days this year.
The quick sellout is really no surprise, since the sponsoring Fidalgo Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers did much the same in 2009, pushing 800 tickets for the enormously popular event in two weeks.
For their $50, participants get launching, three nights moorage at Cap Sante Marina, a Friday night fishing seminar, a Saturday night no-host social, a barbecue lunch on Sunday, and the beautiful San Juans in which to operate.
First place in the family-friendly event pays $15,000; second, $5,000; and third, $2,500. Proceeds fund scholarships for young adults in the area who are pursuing a career in fisheries or a related science, according to derby coordinator Jay Field of Anacortes. The club disbursed more than $20,000 in scholarship money in 2009.
ANOTHER DERBY
Tickets are on sale for the fourth running of the Everett Blackmouth Derby on March 20. At $100 per boat, proceeds benefit various fish-enhancement projects conducted by the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club. The event is limited to 100 boats this year, and club member Jim Brauch said tickets are moving quickly. They're available at John's Sporting Goods, Everett Bayside Marine, Greg's Custom Rods, Hook Line & Sinker, Ted's Sport Center, Ed's Surplus, Three Rivers Marine, and Performance Marine.
First place is worth $3,000; second, $1,500; third, $500; and fourth, $250. John Martinis of John's Sporting Goods will present a blackmouth seminar for derby participants on March 12 at Bayside Marine.
For more information, go to www.everettblackmouthderby.com.
STEELHEAD
It's time to start hitting the really big boys, as native steelhead are showing up in the Olympic Peninsula rivers where they're legal targets.
“We weighed a 25-pounder from the Hoh about a week ago, and we've heard of several in the low 20s recently,” said Bob Gooding at Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. “The next two or three weeks should be prime time for wild-stock fish around here.”
The Hoh and the Sol Duc are the area's top trophy rivers, Gooding said, but anglers are allowed to retain one wild steelhead per year on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc.
In contrast to fairly decent steelheading taking place on the Peninsula and east of the Cascades, the situation around here is a decided downer. Most of our local river systems close today, according to state steelhead manager Bob Leland in Olympia, because “this is the fourth straight year that we've seen a downward trend in wild steelhead returns in the Puget Sound region, and these closures are necessary to meet conservation objectives and comply with the federal Endangered Species Act.”
River systems closing today include the Puyallup, Nooksack, Samish, Stillaguamish and Snohomish. About the only local water left open will be the Wallace, Tokul Creek, and the Snoqualmie above the boat ramp at Plum landing — and they're due to close Feb. 28.
The Puget Sound steelhead situation has become so frustrating that many anglers are dropping out. The latest to do so is guide and Arlington resident Sam Ingram, who said, citing the latest early closures, “That's it. That's the last straw. I can't in all conscience book customers under these conditions.”
Ingram said he will continue to guide salmon anglers, however, and he added that he found a life vest on the Skykomish over the weekend. If it blew out of your sled and you want it back, call him at 360-435-9311.
Eastern Washington steelheaders are enjoying a banner season, particularly on the Snake and its tributaries — Grand Ronde, Touchet, Tucannon and Walla Walla. A mild winter has opened up usually iced-over sections of the Methow and Okanogan, providing a great opportunity for both fly and standard-gear anglers. State district fish biologist Bob Jateff of Twisp said catch rates of one fish for every six to eight hours of fishing have been the rule for two or three weeks now.
Jateff suggested jig and bobber setups for standard gear anglers, and smaller flies under float indicators for the fly fishermen. Be sure to read the pamphlet for selective gear rules and mandatory retention regulations.
SPRINGERS
Early season business on Columbia River spring chinook slowed recently, according to state biologist Joe Hymer in the agency's Vancouver office. A weekend check by Oregon Fish and Wildlife of some 30 boats on the mainstem Columbia showed no catch, although reports indicate a scattering of early springers still being taken in the Willamette, Cowlitz, Kalama and other tributaries.
SMELT
Saturday is the next-to-last recreational smelt opening of the month on the Cowlitz, and it's encouraging to note that there were some — not many, but some — taken by dipnetters last Saturday in the vicinity of Carnival Market upriver from West Longview.
“If you had a net, a strong back, hip boots or waders, and four or five hours, you might have been able to take a meal's worth,” biologist Joe Hymer (above) said. “But it was a matter of a smelt or two per several dips.”
WILD TURKEY SEMINAR
Two experts from the National Wild Turkey Federation will present a spring turkey hunting seminar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Outdoor Emporium in Seattle (1701 4th Ave. South). For more information call 206-624-6550.
FORKS STEELHEAD DISEASE
State biologists plan to destroy a quarter-million winter steelhead eggs at the Bogachiel Hatchery because of a waterborne fish virus, IHN. IHN was found in returning adult winter fish at the hatchery and state regional fish program manager Ron Warren said there is no reliable way to know whether or not the eggs are infected. IHN is infectious, and steps must be taken to prevent spread of the disease, Warren said.
To partially make up for the loss, about 130,000 winter steelhead eggs from the Makah Tribe's Hoko Falls Hatchery will be transferred to the Bogachiel facility for rearing and release. Warren said the eggs are genetically similar to the Bogachiel fish, and that the agency “appreciates the Makah Tribe stepping up and providing us these winter steelhead eggs.”
IHN has no known cure and can be fatal to fish, but cannot be passed on to humans.
BLACK BEAR APPLICATIONS DUE
The deadline for purchasing and submitting an application for the 2010 spring black bear hunt applicable to specific areas of Western and Eastern Washington is midnight, March 12. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 345 permits in Western Washington and 185 permits for hunts east of the Cascades.
SICK SHEEP
State and federal wildlife officials will take steps later this month to curb the spread of pneumonia in wild bighorn sheep in the Yakima River canyon by euthanizing the sickest animals. Biologists will spend several weeks identifying and removing sheep that show signs of pneumonia, such as coughing and lethargy, according to Donny Martorello, state wildlife manager.
About a third of two wild bighorn populations in the canyon — the Umtanum herd on the west side of the Yakima River and the Selah Butte herd east of the river — are expected to be affected. The two herds total about 260 animals.
The Yakima River area is home to more than half the state's 1,500 wild bighorn sheep. Other herds in the area include the Quilomene herd to the northeast and the Cleman Mountain and Tieton herds to the west.
The quick sellout is really no surprise, since the sponsoring Fidalgo Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers did much the same in 2009, pushing 800 tickets for the enormously popular event in two weeks.
For their $50, participants get launching, three nights moorage at Cap Sante Marina, a Friday night fishing seminar, a Saturday night no-host social, a barbecue lunch on Sunday, and the beautiful San Juans in which to operate.
First place in the family-friendly event pays $15,000; second, $5,000; and third, $2,500. Proceeds fund scholarships for young adults in the area who are pursuing a career in fisheries or a related science, according to derby coordinator Jay Field of Anacortes. The club disbursed more than $20,000 in scholarship money in 2009.
ANOTHER DERBY
Tickets are on sale for the fourth running of the Everett Blackmouth Derby on March 20. At $100 per boat, proceeds benefit various fish-enhancement projects conducted by the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club. The event is limited to 100 boats this year, and club member Jim Brauch said tickets are moving quickly. They're available at John's Sporting Goods, Everett Bayside Marine, Greg's Custom Rods, Hook Line & Sinker, Ted's Sport Center, Ed's Surplus, Three Rivers Marine, and Performance Marine.
First place is worth $3,000; second, $1,500; third, $500; and fourth, $250. John Martinis of John's Sporting Goods will present a blackmouth seminar for derby participants on March 12 at Bayside Marine.
For more information, go to www.everettblackmouthderby.com.
STEELHEAD
It's time to start hitting the really big boys, as native steelhead are showing up in the Olympic Peninsula rivers where they're legal targets.
“We weighed a 25-pounder from the Hoh about a week ago, and we've heard of several in the low 20s recently,” said Bob Gooding at Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. “The next two or three weeks should be prime time for wild-stock fish around here.”
The Hoh and the Sol Duc are the area's top trophy rivers, Gooding said, but anglers are allowed to retain one wild steelhead per year on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc.
In contrast to fairly decent steelheading taking place on the Peninsula and east of the Cascades, the situation around here is a decided downer. Most of our local river systems close today, according to state steelhead manager Bob Leland in Olympia, because “this is the fourth straight year that we've seen a downward trend in wild steelhead returns in the Puget Sound region, and these closures are necessary to meet conservation objectives and comply with the federal Endangered Species Act.”
River systems closing today include the Puyallup, Nooksack, Samish, Stillaguamish and Snohomish. About the only local water left open will be the Wallace, Tokul Creek, and the Snoqualmie above the boat ramp at Plum landing — and they're due to close Feb. 28.
The Puget Sound steelhead situation has become so frustrating that many anglers are dropping out. The latest to do so is guide and Arlington resident Sam Ingram, who said, citing the latest early closures, “That's it. That's the last straw. I can't in all conscience book customers under these conditions.”
Ingram said he will continue to guide salmon anglers, however, and he added that he found a life vest on the Skykomish over the weekend. If it blew out of your sled and you want it back, call him at 360-435-9311.
Eastern Washington steelheaders are enjoying a banner season, particularly on the Snake and its tributaries — Grand Ronde, Touchet, Tucannon and Walla Walla. A mild winter has opened up usually iced-over sections of the Methow and Okanogan, providing a great opportunity for both fly and standard-gear anglers. State district fish biologist Bob Jateff of Twisp said catch rates of one fish for every six to eight hours of fishing have been the rule for two or three weeks now.
Jateff suggested jig and bobber setups for standard gear anglers, and smaller flies under float indicators for the fly fishermen. Be sure to read the pamphlet for selective gear rules and mandatory retention regulations.
SPRINGERS
Early season business on Columbia River spring chinook slowed recently, according to state biologist Joe Hymer in the agency's Vancouver office. A weekend check by Oregon Fish and Wildlife of some 30 boats on the mainstem Columbia showed no catch, although reports indicate a scattering of early springers still being taken in the Willamette, Cowlitz, Kalama and other tributaries.
SMELT
Saturday is the next-to-last recreational smelt opening of the month on the Cowlitz, and it's encouraging to note that there were some — not many, but some — taken by dipnetters last Saturday in the vicinity of Carnival Market upriver from West Longview.
“If you had a net, a strong back, hip boots or waders, and four or five hours, you might have been able to take a meal's worth,” biologist Joe Hymer (above) said. “But it was a matter of a smelt or two per several dips.”
WILD TURKEY SEMINAR
Two experts from the National Wild Turkey Federation will present a spring turkey hunting seminar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Outdoor Emporium in Seattle (1701 4th Ave. South). For more information call 206-624-6550.
FORKS STEELHEAD DISEASE
State biologists plan to destroy a quarter-million winter steelhead eggs at the Bogachiel Hatchery because of a waterborne fish virus, IHN. IHN was found in returning adult winter fish at the hatchery and state regional fish program manager Ron Warren said there is no reliable way to know whether or not the eggs are infected. IHN is infectious, and steps must be taken to prevent spread of the disease, Warren said.
To partially make up for the loss, about 130,000 winter steelhead eggs from the Makah Tribe's Hoko Falls Hatchery will be transferred to the Bogachiel facility for rearing and release. Warren said the eggs are genetically similar to the Bogachiel fish, and that the agency “appreciates the Makah Tribe stepping up and providing us these winter steelhead eggs.”
IHN has no known cure and can be fatal to fish, but cannot be passed on to humans.
BLACK BEAR APPLICATIONS DUE
The deadline for purchasing and submitting an application for the 2010 spring black bear hunt applicable to specific areas of Western and Eastern Washington is midnight, March 12. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 345 permits in Western Washington and 185 permits for hunts east of the Cascades.
SICK SHEEP
State and federal wildlife officials will take steps later this month to curb the spread of pneumonia in wild bighorn sheep in the Yakima River canyon by euthanizing the sickest animals. Biologists will spend several weeks identifying and removing sheep that show signs of pneumonia, such as coughing and lethargy, according to Donny Martorello, state wildlife manager.
About a third of two wild bighorn populations in the canyon — the Umtanum herd on the west side of the Yakima River and the Selah Butte herd east of the river — are expected to be affected. The two herds total about 260 animals.
The Yakima River area is home to more than half the state's 1,500 wild bighorn sheep. Other herds in the area include the Quilomene herd to the northeast and the Cleman Mountain and Tieton herds to the west.
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